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Colossians 2:6, 7 - How To Live In Christ.

Colossians 2:6, 7 - How To Live In Christ.

Colossians 2:6, 7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ 
Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, 
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with 
thankfulness. 

Colossians 2:6, 7 (TEV) Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as 
Lord, live in union with him. 7 Keep your roots deep in him, build 
your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were 
taught.  And be filled with thanksgiving. 

Colossians 2:6, 7 (TLB) And now just as you trusted Christ to 
save you, trust him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital 
union with him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up 
nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become 
strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives 
overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. 

BY FAITH

How did you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior? By faith. And 
that is exactly how you grow into maturity - by faith. Through faith 
you depend upon God's Spirit to mold you into the image of Christ. 
[Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Col. 2:6] 

   How did you - a sinner - enter into a friendship with a holy 
God? What brought the two of you together? Was it dedication on your 
part? Was it a result of your unceasing effort? Of course not! You 
entered it by faith. And nothing has changed. 
   "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so 
walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, 
as you have been taught" (Col. 2:6, 7). 
   We are not the first generation of Christians who have tried 
to take matters into our own hands; the early church had the same 
problem. It's part of fallen human nature to want to maintain control, to 
do things ourselves. When it comes to righteousness, whether for 
salvation or for living, we must allow God to do the work. 
   The Spirit-filled life is a life of faith. It started by 
faith and it runs on faith. It is faith from start to finish. 
   Then we believed that Jesus saved us from the guilt of sin; 
now we must believe that He saves us from the power of sin. Then we 
trusted Him for forgiveness and it became ours; now we must trust Him 
for righteousness and it shall become ours also. Then we took Him as 
a Savior from the penalties of our sins; now we must take Him as a 
Savior from the bondage of our sins. Then He lifted us out of the pit; 
now He seats us in heavenly places with Himself. 
   The Bible never makes a distinction between the faith that 
saved us from the penalty of sin, once and for all, and the faith that 
saves us from the power of sin, every day. It is all the same. 
   So what is faith? Faith is believing that God will do as He 
has promised. Faith is not a power or something we're supposed to 
drum up inside ourselves. Faith is trusting that God will honor His 
promises. That's all there is to it. We are to go about our lives, making 
decisions, handling crises, raising our families, and so on, knowing God 
will do what He said He would do. [Life Principles SB By Charles 
Stanley re Col. 2:6, 7] 

BY LOOKING UNTO JESUS

   Helmut Thielicke tells the story of a time when Otto von 
Bismarck looked at a heroic portrait of himself and asked, "Is that how I 
am supposed to look? That's not me." On an opposite wall, he saw a 
picture of the disciple Peter walking on water and sinking beneath the 
waves. Pointing to it, Bismarck said, "That's me."  
   If the "Iron Chancellor" who united Germany could feel that 
way, what about you and me? Sometimes we may appear strong and in 
control, yet we're deeply worried about how vulnerable we are. We look at 
the waves coming at us and get that sinking sensation.  
   Peter was full of bravado when he saw Jesus walking on the 
water and asked if he could too. He stepped out of the boat with his 
eyes on his Lord and started walking.  
   What went wrong? 
   Peter took his eyes off the Lord. Instead, looking at the 
roiling waves under his feet, he felt fear.  
   Life has plenty of wind-whipped waves that rush at us. Mostly 
they break harmlessly at our feet, but some rise high and can soak us 
or even plunge us into the depths. The truth is; we could catalog 
an endless list of "what ifs."  
   When Jesus told us not to have an anxious spirit, he was 
doing more than merely offering stress-avoidance advice. He wanted us 
to know that, when we keep our eyes on him instead of looking at 
the threatening waves, we are safe despite the sting of the spray.  
   When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink, Jesus 
seized him and rescued him. Peter's faith was small and easily shaken, 
yet, writes Thielicke, "This minimum is sufficient for Jesus Christ 
to enter the picture and enfold him in his rescuing arms. For Jesus 
Christ is greater than our faith." [The One Year Book of Encouragement 
by Harold Myra re vs. 7] 

BY THANKSGIVING

   Rivers and streams overflow when the rains are either intense 
or persistent. The amount of water running into them is greater 
than the capacity of their banks. We overflow with thanksgiving when 
God's mercies and blessings fill us up. The amount of favor being 
poured into us is greater than the capacity of our hearts. When we 
realize the size of God's generosity, we can't help but be grateful.  
   But how do we let our lives overflow with thanksgiving when 
we feel dry and dusty? What if we're going through a season of 
lack? That's when gratitude is the last thing on our minds. We know we 
should be grateful to God; He has saved us and blessed us with many 
spiritual blessings. But the burdens we bear and the needs we have tend to 
outweigh the memory of His favor. In the absence of a tangible or recent 
touch from Him, we lament our difficult situations. We may even 
grumble about them.  
   Gratitude is a matter of perspective. The road back to it can 
begin with a conscious choice to notice what God has given. Even the 
basics - breath, a roof over our heads, the last meal we ate - are 
worth appreciating. We can thank Him for the things He has provided 
that He didn't have to or for things that haven't happened to us but 
could have. In every situation, there is something to be grateful for. 
When we find it and express it, our faith and gratitude increase. The 
attitude seems to have a positive snowball effect in our hearts.  
   Choose gratitude. Find something to give thanks for, and then 
say so. Out loud. The more you do, the more your life begins to 
overflow.  
   Father, You are worthy of a heart that overflows with 
thanksgiving toward You. When I think of all You have done and put it in 
perspective, I'm filled with gratitude. You have filled me up. Help me always 
remember to express my thanks. [The One Year Experiencing God's Presence 
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen re vs. 7] 

BY DEPENDENCE ON JESUS

   Living in dependence on Me is a glorious adventure. Most 
people scurry around busily, trying to accomplish things through their 
own strength and ability. Some succeed enormously; others fail 
miserably. But both groups miss what life is meant to be: living and 
working in collaboration with Me.  
   When you depend on Me continually, your whole perspective 
changes. You see miracles happening all around, while others see only 
natural occurrences and "coincidences." You begin each day with joyful 
expectation, watching to see what I will do. You accept weakness as a gift 
from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to consecrated 
weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far 
superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring 
that I live in you. I in you and you in Me. This is the intimate 
adventure I offer you. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Acts 17:28; Colossians 
2:6-7; John 14:20 [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video] 

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Musical Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx 

Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/

LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Today Series by Pastor John Bradshaw: 
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/ 

Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657